Also how much time can be wasted by not being alerted of the common pitfalls.

Fortunately there's enough people in the world for both things to happen simultaneously in different parts, allowing for a wider and deeper exploration of the problem space.

I've found, repeatedly, tho that this is the best way to really understand the common pitfalls without just receiving them as 'holy writ'.

Sure. For example, everyone knows that it is far too expensive to build an electric car because battery prices are far too high. Don't make that mistake! [1]

[1] https://youtu.be/NV3sBlRgzTI?t=55

It seems strange to think that there would be common pitfalls for a project so uncommon as this.